Collapsible bed frame construction



May 30, 1961 N. c. GOLDBERG COLLAPSIBLE BED FRAME CONSTRUCTION 3SheetsSheet 1 Filed March 25, 1959 IN ENTOR MrHA/v BY May 30, 1961 N. c.GOLDBERG COLLAPSIBLE BED FRAME CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March25, 1959 w Y Ra .2 N? R we Mm [1A 4 M. Y M M W N. c. GOLDBERG 2,985,894

COLLAPSIBLE BED FRAME CONSTRUCTION May. 30, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledMarch 25, 1959 INVENTOR. Nathan C. Goldberg ATTORNEY? CGLLAPSHSLE BEDFRAME CONSTRUCTION Nathan C. Goldberg, 825 West End Ave., New York, NY.

Filed Mar. 25, 1959, set. No. 801,744

13 Claims. c1. -176) This invention relates to foldable metallic bedframes and to hinge constructions therefor.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationSerial No. 746,153 filed July 2, 1958, now abandoned.

One general type of foldable bed frame for supporting a bed spring, suchas a steel spring or a box spring, comprises four rails arranged inrectangular relationship and made up of two parallel side rails and twoparallel end rails, the bed frame being supported on legs near eachcorner. The end rails are split to divide the bed frame into twoU-shaped units, each frame unit comprising a side rail, two opposite endrail sections and a leg near each end of the side rail. These two endrail sections are pivotally connected to the side rail near oppositeends thereof to permit said end rail sections to be folded against andalong the side rail for compact storage and transportation. Forassembling, the two collapsed rail end sections are swung outwardly toextended positions at right angles to the side rails and the end railsections of the two bed frame units are secured together to form therectangular bed frame.

Because of the pivotal connection at each corner of the bed frame, thiscorner is weak and the side and end rails do not receive the mutualsupport and the support from the legs they should.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedcollapsible bed frame unit of the general character described, which hassimple but nevetheless strong corner hinge and leg constructions.

Pursuant to the invention in certain of its broader aspects, the leavesof the hinges which pivotally connect the side rails to the end railsections are coaxially pivotally mounted, not only at their upperportions, but also at their lower portions, on the post of a caster orother swivel supporting means so as to themselves serve as the legs ofthe bed frame and provide mutual support both at their upper portionsand their lower portions.

In accordance with certain features of the present invention, eachU-shaped bed frame unit has a side rail, two opposed end rail sections,and a hinge at each corner between the side rail and each end railsection comprising a pair of hinge leaves, with intermeshing postreceiving knuckles, these leaves being rigidly connected to the siderail and the end rail section respectively, so that both of thesestructural units receive direct support from this hinge. This hingeserves not only as a means for pivotally connecting the side rail andthe end rail section together for folding action, but also serves as aleg for the bed frame, so that at each corner of the bed frame, the legdirectly supports both the side rail and the end rail section.

As an additional feature, there is provided a caster at each corner,comprising a swivel wheel on a stem extending into the hinge knuckle andsupported therefrom coaxial with the hinge post. This stem may therebyserve as a hinge post or aid the hinge post in its function.

As another feature, abutment means are provided for lee automaticallylimiting each end rail section into position at right angles to the siderail when fully extended, to assure the proper squaring of the end railsections in relation to the side rail and to assist in holding the fourrails of the assembled bed frame in rectangular relationship.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention areapparent from the following description and from the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective of the bed frame embodying one form of thepresent invention and shown in assembled set up condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective of a corner section of the bed frame of Fig. 1but shown in exploded condition;

Fig. 3 is a vertical detail section through the axis of the hinge andthe caster;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the corner structure of the bed frame shownin full lines in fully extended position and shown in dot and dash linesin partly folded condition;

Fig. 5 is a detail section of the corner structure taken on lines 55 ofFig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective of a bed frame embodying another formof the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the bed frame of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a corner of a bed frame similar to that ofFigs. 6 and 7, but showing a means for spacing the hinge knuckles fromthe side rail and the end rail section at a corner;

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing another form ofcaster-and-hinge construction;

Fig. 10 is a similar view of still another form thereof;

Fig. 11 is a similar view of a particularly simple form thereof; and

Fig. 12 is a fragment of a similar view showing a further modification.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, there is shown as oneembodiment of the present invention a bed frame of the type adapted tosupport a bed spring of the steel or box type. This bed frame, whenassembled as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a pair of side rails 10, an endrail 11 at the foot end of the frame and an end rail 12 at the head endof the frame, the rails being set up in rectangular relationship. Thebed frame is shipped and stored in folded or collapsed condition. Forthat purpose, the bed frame is split in two across the end rails 11 and12 to form two similar U-shaped bed frame units, each unit comprising aside rail 10, an end rail section 11a near one end and an end railsection 12a near the other end. These end rail sections 1112 and 12a arepivotally secured to the side rail 10 in a manner to be described, topermit said end rail sections to be folded against and along the siderail when the bed frame unit is shippedor stored and to be extended intopositions at right angles to the side rails when the bed frame is to beassembled. With the end rail sections 11a and 12a of each bed frame unitfully extended as described, two of such units are placed opposite eachother to form a rectangle, and the end rail sections of the two unitsare connected together, either by telescopically overlapping them andconnecting them with fastening members, such as bolts 13, as shown inFig. 1, by applying clamps to abutting ends of the end rail sections, orby any other means Well known in the art.

In Figs. 2 to 5, one corner of the bed frame at the head end is shown,and only this corner will be specifically described, but it must beunderstood that the other three corners of the bed frame are the same asthat shown and described, except as otherwise noted.

The side rail lil is .of structural steel orotherwsuitable metal havinga flange or weband is specificallywshown'in the form of an angleironhaving a top horizontal flange and a vertical flange 16 on its innerside depending therefrom, and the end rail section 12a is alsopreferably of structural steel or other suitable metal having a flangeor web and is also specifically shown in the form of an angle ironhaving a top horizontal flange 17 and a vertical flange 18 on its innerside depending therefrom. Between the side rail 10 and the end railsection 12a is a hinge 20 shown of the butt type having hinge leaves 21with intermeshing knuckles 22 to receive a hinge post or pin 23. Thehinge leaves 21 are rigidly connected to the vertical inside flanges 16and 18 of the side rail 10 and the end rail section 12a respectively, asfor example, by rivets 2.4.

The connection between the hinge 20 and the side rail 10 and end railsection 12a is such, that the top surfaces 25 and 26 of the horizontalrail flanges l5 and 17 respectively are substantially flush in ahorizontal plane in set up condition of the bed frame unit, and nosubstantial part of the hinge 20 projects above said plane, so that thesteel spring or box spring will rest stably on the bed frame inassembled condition. For the latter pur pose, the top edges 27 of thehinge leaves 21 are located substantially flush with the top flangesurfaces 25 and 26, the only deviation if any therefrom being tocompensate for the thin head of the hinge post 23, by locating saidedges below said top flange surfaces just sufliciently to bring the topof said post head flush with said top flange surfaces, as shown in thedrawings.

At the head end of the bed frame, each side rail 10 may have an endsection 3x) projecting beyond the end rail section 12a to support andsecure the head bed board (not shown) in the well known manner, and thisprojecting end section of the side rail may have mounting holes 31 andmay be otherwise shaped in any well known manner, to secure this headboard thereto.

As an additional feature of the present invention, the hinge 20 servesnot only as a means for pivotally securing the side rail 10 and the endrail section 12a together for collapsing or folding action, but also asa supporting leg for the set up bed frame. For that purpose, the lowerparts of the hinge leaves 21 project below the side rail 10 and end railsections 12a a distance suflicient to support the set-up bed frame therequired distance above the floor. To afford portability, there ismounted on the hinge 20 a wheel device 32, shown in the form of a casterof the well-known type usually employed in connection with bed frames.Since the caster 32, per se, forms no part of the present invention, butis a staple well known article of commerce, it will be described onlysufliciently to show its connection with the other parts of the bedframe construction.

As an additional feature of the present invention, the caster 32 issupported on the hinge 20 with its swivel axis coextensive with the axisof the hinge. This caster 32 comprises a wheel 33 supported for rotationon the usual frame 34 rigidly connected to a stem 35 extending into thelower knuckles of the hinge 20 with a free swivel fit. For that purpose,the hinge post 23 extends only partly into the knuckles 22 to clear atleast the lowest knuckle, and is shown clearing the lower two knuckles.Fitted into these two lower knuckles 22 is the usual socket or bearingsleeve 36 for the caster stem 35 adapted to receive said stem with afree swivel fit. This socket sleeve 36 has a lining 37 press-fittedthereinto for permanent retention therein and terminating short of thetop of the sleeve to form a chamber 38 to receive an enlarged head 40 atthe upper end of the caster stem 35 with a free rotative fit. The head40 is large enough in di ameter, so that it fits very tightly in thelining 37, but this lining has enough resiliency to permit said stem tobe forced upwardly therein, until the flange reaches the chamber 38,whereupon the stem flange snaps into said chamber and the caster stem isthereby retained in the socket sleeve 36 while said stem is permitted toturn freely therein. The upper end wall of the sleeve 4 36 may bedepressed to form an end thrust hearing between the stem 35 and saidsleeve.

The socket sleeve 36 may be retained in position in the two lowerknuckles 22 against axial fall out in any suitable manner. For example,the sleeve 36 may be press-fitted into the lower knuckle 22 forming anintegral part of the hinge leaf 21 rigidly connected to the side rail10, while it extends with a free rotative fit into the lower knuckle 22forming an integral part of the other hinge leaf 21 rigidly connected tothe end rail section 12a, to permit the latter hinge leaf to turn aboutsaid sleeve for folding and unfolding actions.

The socket sleeve 36 and the hinge post 23 are coaxial, the socketsleeve serving not only as part of the caster 32 but serving also partlyas a hinge post. All of the hinge knuckles 22 may be substantially ofthe same diameter as shown, or, if desired, the upper knuckles 22 whichreceive the hinge post 23 may be of smaller diameter than the lowerknuckles receiving the caster socket sleeve 36, to permit the use of ahinge post of smaller diameter.

Also, if desired, the caster socket 36 may be made long enough to beembraced by all of the hinge knuckles 22, in which case. the hinge post23 may be dispensed with.

Although the caster 32 is described as being mounted with its swivelaxis coextensive with the axis of the hinge 20, as far as certainaspects of the invention are concerned, the caster may be mounted onsome other part of the hinge spaced from the hinge axis, as for exampleon one of the hinge leaves 21 with its swivel axis spaced from butparallel to the hinge axis.

The arrangement of Figs. 1 to 5 has the advantage of providing means bywhich the end rail section 12a, when extended from folded position, willbe positively stopped in position substantially at right angles to theside rail 10. For that purpose, the end 42 of the end rail section 12aextends sufliciently to bring said end into alignment with the surface43 of the depending flange 16 of the side rail It), automatically whenthe end rail section 12a reaches a position substantially at rightangles to the side rail. The flange 16 of the side rail 10, therefore,serves as a limiting stop, assuring the automatic squaring of the endrail section 12a with respect to the side rail.

To interlock positively and directly the side rail 10 and the end railsection 12a against relative twisting or bending, there is provided atongue and slot connection between these parts which come automaticallyinto operative interengagement when the end rail section 12a is extendedfully into position at right angles to the side rail 10. To that end,the depending flange 16 of the side rail 10 has an elongated slot 45disposed directly below the top horizontal flange 15 with the top edgeof said slot substantially flush with the bottom surface 46 of said topflange and located in line with the end rail section 12a in fullyextended position of said end rail section. Rigidly secured to the endof the end rail section 12a is a tongue 47 adapted to fit in the slot 45when the end rail section is swung into fully extended position. Thistongue 47 is shown consisting of a plate or bar separate from the endrail section 12a and rigidly secured to the underside of the tophorizontal flange 17 thereof. as for example, by welding. The tongue 47is just slightly thinner than the height of the slot 45 to fit thereinwith a snug fit and may have its end bevelled to facilitate its entryinto the slot. When the end rail section 12a has been extended fullyinto position at right angles to the side rail, the tongue 47 extendingfully and snugly into the slot 45 will be in contact with the bottomsurface 46 of the top horizontal flange 15 of the side rail 1!). Thetongue and slot connection 47, 45 will, therefore. act as a brace ateach corner of the assembled bed frame unit, holding the parts of saidunit at said corner rigidly together against relative twisting.

Although the tongue 47 is shown as constituting a piece separate fromthe'end rails'ection 12a and rigidly connected thereto, as far ascertain aspects of the invention are concerned, this tongue may beformed integral with said end rail section and may constitute an "endextension of the top flange 17 of said end rail section offsetdownwardly to align it with the slot 45. In that case, the shoulderformed by this offset may serve as a limiting stop to assure thepositioning of the end rail section 12a at right angles to the side railwhen said end rail section has been fully extended.

To support a bed spring on the assembled bed frame against lateralsidewise displacement, there are secured to the side rails 10 of the bedframe brackets 50* shown in the form of angle pieces rigidly secured tothe top flanges of the side rails, as for example, by rivets or welding.

For storage and transportation, the end rail sections 11a and 12a ofeach of two bed frame units are folded about their binge axes againstand along the side rail 10. For setting up the bed frame, each foldedend rail section 11a and 12a in each bed frame unit is extendedoutwardly into position at right angles to the side rail 10. As the endrailsection 12a in each bed frame unit is so extended, the tongue 47 onthis end rail section projects into the slot 45 in the side rail 10until the end 42 of the end rail section abuts the depending flange 16of the side rail '10, whereupon the end rail section will be squared offinto proper right angle position in relation to the side rail. Thislimiting interengagement of the end rail sections 12a with the side rail10 in conjunction with the tongue and slot connection 45, 47 betweenthese parts, serves to form a strong stable corner in each bed frameunit. This strong corner connection is produced automatically by themere unfolding of the end rail section 12a without the necessity ofadditionally manipulating and/or applying a brace, locking bracket orthe like.

After the two bed frame units have been unfolded as described, the endrail sections 11a and 12a of the two units are connected together byclamps or bolts as described to form a rigid rectangular bed frame asshown in Fig. l. I

In the construction of Figs. 1 to 5, each side rail 10 is arranged witha horizontal flange '15 and a vertical inside flange 16 dependingtherefrom. Since this arrangement provides no means for holding the bedspring to be supported on the bed frame against sidewise displacement,brackets 50 are rigidly secured to the top flanges 15 of the side rails.In the construction of Figs. 6 and 7, the side rails 10b are arranged ina manner to obviate the necessity of such brackets. To that end, each ofthe side rails 10b of angle form has a horizontal flange 15bfor'supporting the bed spring and a vertical upstanding flange 16b onthe outside serving to hold the bed spring against sidewisedisplacement. The endrail section 12b, also of angle form, is arrangedwith a horizontal flange 17b and a vertical depending flange 18b, and ispivotally connected to the side rail 10b by means of a hinge 20b.

For effecting the connection of the hinge 20b to the side rail 10b,there is secured to the side rail a bracket 60 as shown in the form ofan angle piece, having a horizontal flange 61 rigidly connected to thehorizontal rail flange 15b as for example, by rivets 63, and a verticaldepending flange 62 on the inside of the side rail, rigidly connected toa leaf 21b of the hinge 20b, as for example, by rivets 64. The verticaldepending flange 18b of the end rail section 12b is rigidly connected tothe other leaf 21b of the hinge 20b, as for example, by rivets 65. Theend rail section 12b is located so that the top surface 66 of itshorizontal flange 17b is substantially flush with the bottom surface 67of the horizontal side rail flange 15b.

If desired, the bracket 60, instead of being a piece separate from thehinge leaf 21b to which it is connected, may constitute a horizontalflange of said hinge leaf in- 6 tegral with the upper edge of said leafand rigidly connected to the horizontal rail flange.

At the head end of the 'bed frame, each side rail 10 may have an endsection 30b projecting beyond the end rail section 12b to support andsecure the head bed board (not shown) in the well known manner, and thisprojecting end section of the side rail may have mounting holes and maybe otherwise shaped in any well known manner, to secure this head boardthereto.

As in the construction of Figs. 1 to 5, the hinge 20b in theconstruction of Figs. 6 and 7 extends below the side rail 10b and theend rail section 12b to form a leg for floor support and similarlyreceives a caster (not shown) with its swivel axis coextensive with itshinge post axis.

The end rail section 12b is positively stopped automatically when itreaches fully extended position. This limiting action is effected by theengagement of the vertical face 70 of the end rail section 12b with theend 71 of the bracket 60, when said end rail section reaches its fullyextended position substantially at right angles to said side rail.

The construction of Figs. 6 and 7 is also provided with a tongue andslot connection between the side rail 10b and the end rail section 12bfor bracing the corner structure against the twisting of its parts. Tothat end, the depending flange 18b of the endrail section 12b has anelongated slot 45b disposed directly below the top horizontal flange 17bof the siderail section with the top edge ofsaid slot substantiallyflush with the bottom surface 73 of said top flange. Rigidly secured tothe top flange 15b of the side rail 10b on the under side thereof, asfor example, by the rivets 63, is a tongue 47b in the form of a plate orbar slightly thinner than the height of the slot 45b and in alignmenttherewith when the end rail section 12b is in fully extended position tofit therein with a snug fit. The end of this tongue 47b may have its endbevelledto facilitate its entry into the slot 4511 as the end railsection 12b is extended from folded position. When the end rail section12b has been extended fully into position at right angles to the siderail 10b, the tongue 47b extending fully and snugly into the slot-45b,will be in contact with the bottom surface 73 of the top horizontalflange 17b of the side rail section 12b. The tongue and slot connection47b, 45b will, therefore, act as a'brace'at' each corner of theassembled bed frame unit holding the parts of said unit at said'cornerrigidly together against relative twist- As in the construction of Figs.1 to 5, although "the tongue 47b is shown as constituting apiece'separ'ate from the side rail 10b and rigidly connected thereto, asfaras certain aspects of the invention are concerned, this tongue may beformed integral with the bracket 60 and may constitute an end extensionof the top flange '61 offset downwardly to align it with the slot 45b.In that case, the shoulder formed by this offset may serve as thelimiting stop to assure the positioning of the end rail section 12b atright angles to the side rail 10b when said end rail section has beenfully extended.

In the construction of Figs. 6 and 7, instead of extending each end railsection 12b across the side rail 1e11, the bracket 60 may be extendedalong the side rail and the end rail section may be foreshortened,whereby in fully extended position at right angles to the side rail, theend of the end rail section will be flush with the surface of thevertical bracket flange 62 facing said end of the end rail section, sothat said surface serves as a limiting stop to square off said end railsection at right angles to said-side rail in fully extended position ofsaid end rail section. In this alternative construction, theslot may beprovided inthe vertical bracket flange 62 and the tongue may beconnected to the end r'ail section 12b fandlproject'th'erefrom forextension into said slot to form a tongue and slot bracing connectionbetween the side rail 10b'and the 7 end rail section 12b in fullyextended position of said end rail section.

In the construction of Figs. 6 and 7, the hinge b is shown with itsleaves 21b flat and the knuckles 22]) at the intersection of theseleaves. Although these knuckles 22b will be in substantially tangentialrelation to the depending flanges 62 and 18b of the bracket and the endrail section 12b respectively, there is not sufficient friction betweenthe knuckles and these flanges to interfere with the folding orunfolding of the bed frame unit. However, if the specific design anddimensions of the corner construction are such that the knuckles 22b maybe too close to the bracket and rail flanges 62 and 18b to permit freehinge movement of the parts or to permit the hinge leaves 21b to beplaced flat against the depending flanges 62 and 18b of the bracket 60and the end rail section 12b respectively, then shims may be employed tospace the hinge leaves from these depending flanges 62 and 18b andthereby to space the hinge knuckles 22b from these flanges or spacingwashers may be provided around the rivets 64 and 65 for the samepurpose. As another alternative, the hinge leaves 210 (Fig. 8) may haveoffsets near the knuckles 220 as shown in Fig. 8, to locate theseknuckles at a distance from the depending flanges 62 and 18b of thebracket 60 and the end rail section 1211 respectively.

The alternative hinge locating constructions described including thatshown in Fig. 8 can also be applied to the embodiment of the inventionshown in Figs. 1 to 5, to space the hinge knuckles 22 away from thedepending flanges 16 and 18 of the side rail 10 and end rail section 12arespectively.

A particularly compact and effective hinge-and-caster construction isshown in Fig. 9 wherein there is provided a hinge-leaf 76 formed ofsheet metal. An extension from an upper portion of its inner verticaledge is turned on itself at 77 to provide a bearing 78 for a hinge pin79 and then extended back over the leaf 76, a hole 80 being providedtherethru for a rivet which, together with a rivet extending thru a hole82, will secure the leaf 76 to a rail of a bed frame. An extension froma lower portion of the vertical edge of the leaf 77 is turned on itselfat 83 to form a bearing 84, coaxial with the bearing 77, for the post 85of a swivel caster 86 having a roller 87. The leaf 76 is bent over at 88to provide a flange. The other leaf 89 of the hinge is formed with anextension from the upper portion of the inner vertical edge which isturned on itself at 90 to provide a hole 91 for the reception of thehinge pin 79 and adapted to lie above bearing 78 and then extend backalong the leaf 89, a hole 93 being provided therethru for a rivet which,together with a rivet extending thru hole 94, will secure the leaf 89 toa bed rail which is to be hingedly connected to the bed rail which iscarried on the hinge 76. An extension 96 from the middle portion of theinner edge of the leaf 89 and below the bearing 77 is turned upon itselfto form a hole 97 to receive and grip the pivot pin 79, a rivet 99 beingprovided for securing the end of the extension to the leaf 89. At thelower end of the inner edge of the leaf 89 there is provided anextension turned upon itself at 100 to provide, below the bearing 84, abearing 101 for the post 85. The leaf 89 is formed with a flange 102adapted to fit inside the flange 88.

in the form of construction shown in Fig. 10, the hinge leaf 105 haswelded thereto outside the upper portion of its inner edge the base 108of a U-shaped metal bracket 109 the legs 110 and 112 of which are curvedforwardly and outwardly at their forward inner edge and are formed,respectively, with bearings 113 and 114 for a hinge pin 115 having aflanged head 116. Holes 118 and 119 are provided for riveting the leaf105 to one of a pair of end and side rails of a bed frame. The otherleaf 120 of the hinge has welded thereto the base 121 of a bracket 122the legs 124 and 125 of which are disposed under the legs 110 and 112and likewise have forwardly-and-outwardly-curved inner edges and holes126 and 129 providing bearings for the pin 115. Holes 128 and 129 areprovided for riveting the leaf 120 to the other of the pair of end andside rails of the bed frame. Lower down, the leaves 105 and 120 havewelded thereto respectively similar brackets 130 and 131 the formerhaving legs 133 and 134 which are above legs 135 and 136 on the latter,all of these legs being formed with holes providing bearings 137 whichare coaxial with the bearings 113, 114, 126, and 127 and which areadapted to receive the post 139 of a caster 140 similar to the caster86.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 11, bearings for a hinge pinsimilar to the pin 115 are provided by holes 146 and 147 respectively ina downwardly bent extension 148 from the top edge of a sheet metal hingeleaf 150 and a cut-out and downwardly-bent piece 152 of a similar hingeleaf 153 and bearings 156 and 157, coaxial with the bearings 146 and147, are provided for the post 159 of a caster 160 similar to the caster86 in a cut-out and upwardly-bent piece 162 of the leaf 150 and in anupwardly bent extension 163 on the lower edge of the leaf 153. In thismanner, only three pieces are required for the hinge and only four forthe hinge-andcaster construction. The members '147, 148, 162, and 163are shaped similarly to the legs 110 and 124, for example.

In Fig. 12 there is shown a construction wherein the extension 148 ofthe hinge leaf 150 is secured to an extension 162, cut out of and bentupwardly from the upper portion of a hinge leaf 163 and having a bearinghole similar to the hole 147, by a rivet 165 the stem of which extendsthru the holes in the extensions 148 and 162. The hinge leaf 163otherwise corresponds to the hinge leaf 153, and the remainder of theconstruction is the same as that shown in Fig. 11.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and differentembodiments of the invention could be made without departing from thescope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A collapsible bed frame unit comprising side rails and end railsections, means to interconnect each side rail to each of two end railsections, each such means comprising a pair of hinge leaves extendingdownward from a side rail and an end rail section respectively, apivotal connection on a vertical axis for the lower portions of saidhinge leaves and comprising a pivot element and bearing means on thehinge leaves extending about said pivot element, a supporting footcarried by each pivot element and providing with said hinge leaves andsaid pivotal connection a swivel foot and a supporting leg for said bedframe, and an upper pivotal connection comprising a pivot elementseparate from but coaxial with each of the first-mentioned pivotelements.

2. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each ofsaid supporting feet comprises a wheel.

3. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each ofat least certain of said pivot elements is encircled by extensions ofeach hinge leaf of a pair.

4. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 3 wherein at leastcertain of said extensions continue outwardly and lie against and aresecured to their respective leaves.

5. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each ofat least certain of said pivot elements pass thru bearings in elementsextending laterally from the inner portions of the hinge leaves of apair.

6. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 5 wherein at leastcertain of said laterally-extending portions are laterally bent cut-outtongues integral with their respective hinge leaves.

7. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 5 wherein at leastcertain of said laterally-extending portions are in the form of the legsof U-shaped members the bases of which are secured to their respectivehinge leaves.

8. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim wherein thecorners of said laterally-extending portions proximate to the otherhinge leaves of each pair are of reduced extent to permit free swingingmovement.

9. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidside rails and said end rail sections are in the form of angle ironshaving respective flanges extending horizontally in set up assembledcondition of the bed frame for the support of a bed spring thereon, andhaving respective flanges extending vertically and depending from thehorizontal flanges in set up assembled condition of the bed frame, thedepending flanges of a side rail and the end rail section near each endof the side rail being parallel to the leaves respectively of the hingenear the corresponding end of the side rail and being rigidly connectedto said leaves respectively.

10. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein thereare provided on each pair of binge leaves stop means for limiting themovement of the swinging movenment when each end rail section is atright angles to a side rail when said end rail sections are fullyextended.

11. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein eachside rail has two flanges one of which extends horizontally and theother extending vertically and depending from the horizontal flange whenthe bed frame is in set up assembled condition, the vertical flangehaving a vertical surface facing the end of the end rail section neareach end of the side rail in set up assembled condition of the bedframe, and wherein the end of each end rail section abuts the verticalflange surface when the end rail section reaches an extended position atright angles to said side rails, whereby the end rail section is limitedby said flange surface in said extended position.

12. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein a stopmember is provided near each end of the side rail rigidly connected tothe side rail, and wherein each of said end rail sections is in the formof an angle iron defining two flanges, one of which extends horizontallyand the other extends vertically and depends from the horizontal flangewhen the bed frame is in set up assembled condition, the vertical flangehaving a vertical surface facing said stop member in set up assembledcondition of the bed frame, and wherein said vertical surface abuts saidstop member near each end of the side rail when the corresponding endrail section reaches an extended position at right angles to said siderails, whereby the end rail section is limited by said stop member insaid extended position.

13. A collapsible bed frame unit as in claim 1 wherein each of thefirst-mentioned pivot elements is in the form of a socket which isnon-rotatably mounted in the bearing means on one hinge leaf and isrotatably mounted in the bearing means on the other hinge leaf, andwherein the supporting foot carries a pin which fits rotatably withinsaid socket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS150,703 Olds May 12, 1874 1,090,675 Bell Mar. 17, 1914 2,607,051 JacksonAug. 19, 1952 2,772,424 Roche et al Dec. 4, 1956 2,851,702 Imber et alSept. 16, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 21,327 Switzerland Sept. 8, 1906

